FlickType Drops Subscription Model

The popular iOS typing app FlickType has dropped it’s 99 cents subscription fee, in favour of a one-off payment of $2.99.

What Is FlickType?

FlickType is an app for iOS that makes typing on your devices screen much faster, especially if you are visually impaired. Instead of having to tap on each letter of the word you’re trying to type, you can simply tap in the general area you think the letter would be. For example, if you wanted to type the word The, you would tap somewhere in the centre for the letter T, then just below that and slightly to the right for the letter H, and finally slightly higher and to the left for the letter E. Once finished, you swipe to the right with 1 finger and FlickType enters the word it thinks you were trying to type.

Admittedly, it does sound a little complicated when trying to describe how it works, however in use it’s surprisingly accurate, and does make entering text much faster than the usual method we use currently as Voice-Over users.

Why Has It Changed?

After being initially free to use, FlickType moved to the subscription model in order to help fund further development of the app. However, back in November 2018, the developers posted on the FlickType forum announcing they were considering a price change due to problems they were having with the subscription model causing issues with the App Store submission process.

“We have had numerous rejections of FlickType by Apple over the last few months, most often due to the uncommon nature of our app being a keyboard for VoiceOver users. Usually the reviewer is confused by the way they need to operate the keyboard with VoiceOver, and it takes some back-and-forth before they eventually reverse their decision and let us release our updates to the App Store.”

On January 11th 2020, they announced that they had ended the subscription model in favour of a one-off payment of $2.99. If you are already paying a subscription, then you don’t have to pay the one-off fee. Here a quote from the support forum regarding current subscribers:

“To clarify, existing subscribers will also be able to keep using the app with no additional cost. In fact, once you update, you should be able to cancel your subscription and still be able to use the app forever.”

Although, currently, I’ve had no confirmation of this, I would assume that all current subscriptions will cancel automatically but if you want to be sure you can cancel manually by following the steps below.

Open Settings and double tap on your Apple ID name at the top of the screen.

Swipe through until you get to the Subscriptions option.

You’ll see a list of all your subscriptions here, double tap on FlickType.

Swipe through and then double tap on the Cancel Subscription option.

What About Apple Watch Support?

The Apple Watch companion app, which allowed people to use FlickType on the Apple Watch was briefly removed with the release of the January 11th iOS app update. However, it has returned with the most recent update on the 14thof January.

Also, a new app called FlickType Watch Notes has been released which also costs $2.99. This standalone app allows you to take notes on your Apple Watch using the FlickType keyboard.

Disappointingly, the initial version of this app was not accessible at all whilst using Voice-Over, however this was fixed with a recent update.

Search Double Tap

Follow Double Tap On Twitter

Double Tap Canada Podcast

Join Steven Scott, Shaun Preece & Tim Schwartz as they dive into all the latest tech news in this week’s episode of Double Tap Canada. Following Microsoft’s Ability Summit, Steven wants to talk about Project Tokyo. But, does 3D positional audio have any real practical use for accessibility or is it purely for entertainment. While…

This week’s Double Tap kicks off with Steven telling us all about his new home studio and his new love for LED light strips. But, just as with his big screen TV, surely, there can be no reason for a visually impaired person to care about smart lighting, or is there? Next, Steven invites us…

Double Tap is back with a fun packed episode as Steven, Shaun & J Taylor talk about just what tech is making them happy during these strange days. Steven is so excited about his latest tech purchase, a 75 inch television, but will Shaun’s negativity ruin it for him? If your level of vision is…

In this episode of Double Tap Canada, Steven & Tim are joined by Shelly Brisbin to take a look at what’s new in tech this week. The show kicks off with a possibly controversial question, just what is the future for specialized tech? Does the high price of these devices and improved accessibility in mainstream…